Mangaluru, July 29: ICYM, Mangaluru diocese organized a condolence meet at Kadri War Memorial here on Tuesday July 28th to pay rich tributes to former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.
The homage was paid in a unique manner by the ICYM members by rising funds for the medical treatment of 8-year-old girl Navyashree, a cancer patient who is from a poor family.
Addressing the gathering, MLA J R Lobo said, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam exhibited great interest towards youth and children. He was a great visionary as well as a humanitarian. He respected all religions equally. Till his death he was very active. He travelled over the globe and carried the heritage of India to the world. He brought honour to the post of the President. Though he was born in a poor family he struggled hard and rose to the highest level of success. He is no more, but his values and memories stay with us forever. We have to follow his example and adopt his values, only then can we truly pay tribute to him.
Lobo praised the initiative of ICYM to raise funds for the cancer patient.
MLC Ivan D’Souza said, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam possessed a vision to make India a superpower by 2020. He created a vision and motivated the youth to make India a developed nation. Throughout his life, he was involved in various activities. In his childhood days, he used to sell newspapers to earn his livelihood, and overcoming lot of difficulties, he achieved his goals. The values he has taught us will be remembered forever.
The initiative taken by ICYM to help the girl is really admirable, he said.
The volunteers of ICYM Mangaluru diocese on this occasion, collected donations from those present at the venue. The collected funds will be opened in the presence of the girl’s close family and the entire sum would be used for her treatment.
Navyashree needs Rs 2.5 lakhs for treatment. The ICYM members requested Ivan D’Souza to help her, and the MLC in response asked them to submit the relevant documents to him and assured to approach the chief minister to grant funds of at least Rs one lakh.
Candles were lit to pay homage to beloved Scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
ICYM Mangaluru director Fr Ronald, president Alwyn D’Souza, secretary Jackson D’Costa and relative of the girl Hemanth Kumar were present during the condolence meet.
